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Springsteen Biopic Wins Praise for Performances, Faces Scrutiny for Narrow, Safe Focus

Critics say the Nebraska-era focus delivers intimacy at the cost of context about Springsteen’s career.

Overview

  • New reviews highlight Jeremy Allen White’s turn as Bruce Springsteen and Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of manager Jon Landau as the film’s standout performances.
  • The movie centers on Springsteen’s early‑1980s retreat in New Jersey, depicting his depression and the lo‑fi home recordings that shaped Nebraska and informed Born in the U.S.A.
  • Several critics commend the film’s patient, craft‑minded depiction of songwriting, noting scenes that thoughtfully trace lyric choices and artistic intent.
  • Reviewers fault familiar biopic devices, limited contextualization of Landau’s influence, and sluggish pacing tied to a composite girlfriend character, with one review criticizing the original score.
  • The authorized 20th Century Studios release is in theaters now, with coverage noting Springsteen’s engagement with the rollout and the film’s restrained treatment of E Street‑era spectacle.